WYE MILLS  The Rufus M. and Loraine Hall Todd Performing Arts Center at Chesapeake College is celebrating its 17th season with the innovative 2013-2014 Theatre for Young People Family Series.

Thousands of people attended the children’s theatre presentations last season. The weekday Schoolday Series patrons included students from public schools in all five of the service counties, local private school students and home-schooled children.

This season we are pleased to be presenting three of ArtsPower’s professional productions. All three of their original musicals are based on some of America’s best-loved children’s literature by award-winning authors. ArtsPower has grown into one of America’s premiere producers of professional theater for young family audiences. Their touring musicals and dramas have been seen by 12 million people in 48 states  from Alaska to Florida  in hundreds of the nation’s top cultural centers, including the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., and Lincoln Center in New York.

Triple Threat Theatre Company will also join the season with their original Holiday Celebration  "Sleigh Ride Around the World." Triple Threat is a local company that brings local and regional talent together in a performance combining music, drama and dance. Have the time of your life immersed in the imagination and joy of this spectacular holiday celebration!

American Family Theatre (AFT) will return this season with another original telling of an American classic  "The Wizard of Oz." AFT have been producing the very best in family entertainment for more than 40 years. They are the oldest and largest family theater company in the nation, and are seen each season in more than 700 cities throughout the U.S. and Canada.

"We hope you enjoy the season and that the productions we present will entertain, thrill, educate, and motivate you and your families, bringing you the excitement and magic that only live theater can provide," said Program Director Linda Zaragoza.

The Family Series kicks off on Friday, Nov. 15 at 7 p.m. with the ArtsPower National Touring Theatre’s production of "The Little Engine That Could Earns Her Whistle." ArtsPower’s dynamic, song-filled adventure portrays Watty Piper’s timeless tale about work, determination, and the meaning of true friendship, based on the book "The Little Engine That Could." Tickets are $9 for adults and children.

Holiday favorite "Sleigh Ride Around the World" returns to the Todd Performing Arts Center on Friday, Dec. 6 at 7:30 p.m. Travel with the "Sleigh Ride" company as they explore seasonal traditions, dances and songs from across the globe. Experience the beauty of holiday music and dances performed by local and regional professionals from Baltimore, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia and Delaware. Enjoy a special holiday dinner buffet in the lovely TPAC lobby prior to the show. Dinner and show tickets are $35, and show-only tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for children (10 and under).

Children’s favorite "Are You My Mother?" comes to life on the TPAC stage on Friday,
February 7 at 7 p.m. Based on P.D. Eastman’s popular book for young readers, "Are You My Mother?" is an enchanting musical about Baby Bird’s Journey. Told with humor, sensitivity, and a bit of calculated silliness, this touching story shows how loss can be turned into empowerment and how Baby Bird happily finds more than she is looking for. "Are You My Mother?" features a rich and upbeat musical score with imaginative sets and costumes. Tickets are $9 for adults and children.

Fans will have the opportunity to see "The Monster Who Ate My Peas" this spring, on Friday, April 11 at 7 p.m. at TPAC. Children and adults alike will be entertained and engaged by this wonderfully written tale about the value of will power, based on the book "The Monster Who Ate My Peas" by Danny Schnitzlein and illustrated by Matt Faulkner. Tickets are $9 for adults and children.

The season ends on Friday, May 16 at 7 p.m. when the American Family Theatre presents "The Wizard of Oz" at TPAC. Follow the yellow brick road with Dorothy and her friends in one of the most famous musical journeys of all time. AFT’s "The Wizard of Oz" is a sparkling production that features a terrific cast, unforgettable songs and special effects, plus lots of audience participation. Last year, hundreds of families enjoyed their production of "Cinderella." American Family Theater is the nation’s premier producer of musicals for families and young audiences and performs in more than 300 venues each year. Tickets are $9 for adults and children.

After all performances, join the cast from each production in the TPAC lobby for a meet and greet and to grab autographs! Books from each show will be available for sale along with snacks and beverages.

For a Theatre for Young People Series schedule or more information, please call Linda Zaragoza, Program Director, at 410-827-5867 or email lzaragoza@chesapeake.edu. Discounts are available for groups of 15 or more.